214. A JACOBITE EXILE

the treasury is empty, and even at the best of times the
troops are badly and irregularly paid, and are forced to
plunder to keep life together. They are almost in rags,
and though we Poles do not mind fighting, there is generally
a difficulty in getting sufficient infantry. As for the cay-
alry, they are nobles, and draw no pay. How do you feel
to-day?”

“Better. The night’s rest and a wash and change of
clothes this morning have made me feel another man.
How far do you intend to march?”

“We shall go slowly for a day or two. The other parties
have all pushed on ahead fast, but by taking matters quietly,
and by keeping a sharp look-out, we need have no great
fear of being surprised. I know the forest well and its
thickest hiding-places, so we can afford to travel slowly,
and as you become accustomed to it you will be able to
make longer journeys.”

For ten days they travelled through the forest, increasing
their distance daily as Charlie regained his strength. The
last day or two they did not make less than twenty miles a
day. Their faces were turned steadily east. Occasionally
they passed large tracts of cleared land, villages, and culti-
vated fields. At some of these they stopped and replen-
ished their stock of flour, which they took without paying
for it, but did no farther damage. Of meat they had
abundance. ‘Two or three men started each day as soon
as they halted, and in a short time returned with a goat
or young pig.

“We are now close to the Bug River,” Ladislas said at
their last halting-place. “To-morrow we shall meet some
at least of our comrades. I do not expect a great many,
for we were pretty equally divided as to the direction we
should travel in. Practically we were safe from pursuit
when we had gone fifteen miles, for the forest there spreads
out greatly, and those in search of us would know that